“You sure you want to follow me in, or would you rather I just take you there? May be faster if you ride with me,” he offers.
“I don’t care either way, as long as you get me there,” I croak out.
“Come on then, let’s not waste any more time.”
I slide into the passenger seat, he turns his lights on, and we head to Jules.
“Did you hear what happened?” I ask him as he makes a sharp turn to get onto the main road leading us to the hospital.
“Parker walked into her shop and saw her lying on the floor. Jules was breathing but unconscious. From what I was told at dispatch, Parker called nine-one-one and had an ambulance come. That’s all I know so far. No one could get ahold of you on the phone. I volunteered to come up and get you.”
“Thank you, Elliott.” We spend the rest of what would usually be thirty minutes, but we make it in fifteen minutes, in silence. Unable to sit still, my fingers are running through my hair, pulling it into a bun, taking it out, then putting it back in. Anything to keep my hands busy. My legs bouncing back and forth doesn’t help calm my nerves down, either, but Elliot will just have to deal with it. As we make it to the hospital, I say another prayer, hoping with all my worth that Jules is okay. Even if God forbid, she isn’t, I swear on all that I am that I’ll take care of her for all of our years to come.
26
Jules
I wake up in a state of confusion. The sheets I’m lying on are scratchy and have a crunchy feel, and the smell of antiseptic assaults my nose. Add in a beeping noise that won’t quit, and I want to bury my head in a pile of pillows.
If this is any way to wake someone up, they should re-evaluate their way of thinking.
“Miss. Russell, can you hear me?” A finger is basically poking at my eye, trying to pry it open, then there’s a light shining at my pupil. I swat my hand at the light. That’s when I feel him. “Hudson?” My voice is hoarse, and I’m dying of thirst.
“I’m here, gorgeous. Open your eyes for Dr. Smith and me. Let me see all that beauty,” the man I love most in the world demands.
It takes a few tries, but I finally open my eyes. “Ah, there you are, Miss. Russell. Nice to finally see you awake. Do you mind if I tell Mr. Walker here what’s going on?” Dr. Smith asks.
“Sure, I don’t mind. Hudson, do you?” He’s already bringing a straw to my mouth, the cold slush of ice water a welcome feeling on my dry throat.
“Not at all. I’m here for you, Jules, always.”
“Well then, I’ll get right down to it. You have a Class-three concussion. You lost consciousness, but we’re not sure for how long. Normally, I’d schedule an MRI, but after running your bloodwork, I’m advising against that. I’ll be discharging you today. And Jules, no working or lifting, and get lots of rest this week.” Dr. Smith turns to leave, but Hudson stops him.
“What do you mean, after running her bloodwork?”
“Oh, you don’t know yet? Do you, Jules?” he questions.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, thinking something could really be wrong.
“We ran your blood in the lab here at the hospital. It seems you’re just about six weeks pregnant. I’ll write a prescription for you and send you off with a referral to Dr. Monroe for an obstetrician appointment. I’ll give you two a few minutes, and we can talk about doing an ultrasound while you’re here.”
Tears are swimming in my eyes, and a smile spreads across my face even through the pounding headache. “Hudson, we’re going to have a baby.” He’s in bed beside me in a flash, somehow managing not to jostle me as he does. His arm comes under my neck, and his lips find mine. Hudson’s hand cups my stomach, my hand immediately going on top of his.
“Hell yes, we are, and we’re going to be the best parents we can to our little peanut.” His lips press against mine. “I love you, Jules, so damn much,” he murmurs against my lips.
“I love you. Do you think we can blow this popsicle stand? I’ll call Dr. Monroe first thing in the morning. There’s no way I want Dr. Smith putting that wand inside of me. I’ll save that for my female doctor.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and see him finally click the words into place.
“God damn right, you’ll have a female doctor. But Jules, your ass is home for a week, if not two. The shop will be fine, or we can do it by appointment only, and I’ll go to the store,” he grunts.